Chic Hankie Display

Why let those lovely hankies sit around in a drawer when you display them on a vanity or dresser. This display I made from using old lamp and chandelier parts.



The ornate base is a base from a small vintage lamp. It alread had the lamp rod so all I had to do was remove the socket wiring and the glass rod cover.

The circular display piece was a candle cup or bobeche from an old chandelier. This one worked perfectly because of it's reticulated (pierced) design.

When turned upside down it was perfect for slipping the corner of the folded hankies through the holes  from the underside. I topped it off with a small lamp finial. When using lamp parts the metals don't always match so painting is a great option to bring it all together. This one I painted an Ivory satin and chipped the paint with a nail file for a perfect Shabby Chippy look.

Items needed for this project:
1 small lamp base
1 7-8" lamp rod threaded at both
1 reticulated metal chandelier bobeshe
1 lamp finial

1 can of spray paint

1 old nail file for chipping the paint

Note: Most lamp parts come in 2 sizes. This project uses the smaller size rod and finial. Flea markets and garage sales are great places to find old lamps. I rarely paid over $3 for any of them and they provide so many usable parts  for projects as you will see in future projects to be posted.

Other ideas for hankie displays like the ones below, I found on the internet.

This is an antique napkin doll but is perfect for displaying hankies too. The napkins or hankies when added create the skirt to the doll's dress.

This idea is a very creative use for an old spoon display. It holds quite a few hankies. They come in many sizes and can be painted to suite your decor.



This unusual display found on Nanalulu's site is made of old wood and flatware bent to create hooks. It can not only hold hankies or necklaces, but can be used in the kitchen to hold an apron collection, towels, or even pot holders.



Who would have thought to hang hankies on a curtain rod with cafe rod clips for a window valance. Perfectly Shabby Chic for the kitchen, laundry, bedroom or bath. 



Remember, "Shabby Chic is not out of style until YOU say it is."

Enjoy!

Shabby Chic Bed trays

Nothing is more elegant or more welcoming than having a bed tray displayed on the bed. This could be for your own enjoyment or for your guests. It can offer a book or rolled up magazine with a bow tied for your guest/guests to read. Add a petite flower vase and saucer with a few chocolates to let them know you were thinking of them. Bed trays can be found new or used like the one above. I purchased it from a thrift store and gave it a perfectly shabby look with a couple of coats of white paint and some scruffing with sandpaper.

Another form of bed tray could be made with most any kind of tray painted white. It could be a silver one or even a brass one like the gallery tray below. These make perfect little bed trays or even vanity trays. You can also use them in the bath for shampoo and soap samples beside the tub.

For either of these projects you will need:

1 Tray or bed tray

1 can of white or off white spray paint. I prefer satin finish.

Med to coarse Sandpaper or a nail file


Paint your try with several coats of paint letting it dry well before each coat. Wood trays can be scruffed up with sandpaper. Metal trays can be scraped slightly with the side of a nail file for the great shabby chippy look. Wipe clean of dust and use.

Remember "Shabby Chic is not out of style until You say it is!"

Enjoy,

Shabby 2 Chic Vintage Linen Display

This was one of my first articles posted in my original Shabby 2 Chic Magazine years ago.  I am slowly rebuilding the site here and I hope you will enjoy it. I love collecting vintage peacock embroidery but lacked a place to display it. One day I was in a neighborhood junk shop and saw a baby bed railing propped out of the way when I got the idea of using it like a ladder to display my dresser scarves in the bedroom. I painted it an antique white but you can use white or whatever shade you like. Scuffed it up slightly along a few edges for a perfect shabby look. I propped it against the wall and arranged my linens on the horizontal rungs.

Project supplies:

1 Used baby bed side railing

1-2 cans of satin finish spray paint depending on how many coats you use.

Medium to coarse sandpaper

Note: This could also be hung from the ceiling with eye hooks and chain if you wanted.

I've had many compliments on this easy to do project.

Remember "Shabby Chic is not out of style until You say it is!"

Enjoy!